Roger Federer announced today on his website, rogerfederer.com, that he and longtime girlfriend Mirka Vavrinec will be expecting their first child together in the coming months.

“Mirka and I are excited to let you know that we will be parents this summer!” Federer wrote on his website. “Mirka is pregnant and we are so happy to be starting a family together. This is a dream come true for us.”

The couple has been dating since meeting at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. The 30-year-old Vavrinec competed on the WTA tour briefly before a foot injury sidelined her career.

Federer, 27, is the No. 2 seed this week at the Tennis Masters Indian Wells which got underway earlier Thursday. Federer drew a bye in the first round and is expected to play on Saturday the winner of the Simone Bolleli v. Marq Gicquel match scheduled for later today.

Rafael Nadal is the top seed. Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Andy Roddick are also playing in Indian Wells this week.

Having an extra responsibility will affect his game, but I don’t see him retiring without at least 15 slams.

It will likely affect his off court preparation. Will he still hang out in Dubai when the kid is out? Will he take the kid with him? He probably isn’t going to travel as much and will cut down on his schedule, and perhaps his hunger for reclaiming/maintaining #1 and beating Nadal.

And, baby makes three. I don’t know if congrats is in order due to an article I read a few months ago in which Fed stated he wasn’t ready for children and marriage.

I wonder if they (Fed & Mirka) are aware of what ‘three’ means? Forget the lavish celebrity dinners, parties, travelling together, etc. They can look forward to: sleepless nights, less focus on each other, those wonderful 2;00 am feedings, awake to watch those beautiful sunrises, and more importantly, Fed will have to relinquish his monopoly on the ‘tears’ because that will be encroaching on baby’s territory. I hope the baby does not inherit daddy’s crying genes, but then again that’s not too bad — dad will have company when he’s crying.

Seriously speaking though, the above is all fine and dandy, but this is not a good example for young kids to follow. I’m still of the old school order: dating, then marriage, living together as a married couple (getting to know you, getting to know all about you) and then, baby makes three. Seems like Fed & Mirka have put the cart before the horse. Anyway, to each his own.

I suppose this will be very disappointing news for the women who were hoping beyond hope, that Fed will be free eventually. Wow, did Mirka outsmart them all, Mazel Tov Mirka!

What can I say. I like to express my opinions freely instead of tippy toe-ing around the issue. Some sugar-coat theirs, while just come right out and say it, only more clearly, leaving no room for doubt.

I must have said something positive considering I wrote this:

“This is probably the diversion he needed — something else to obsess over instead of breaking Sampras’ record. Who knows this might help him to relax and in the process win his 14th slam.”

and, you wrote this;

“Wanting something too bad (breaking Sampras’ record, beating Nadal, living up to the GOAT status) can sometimes lead to obsession and bad results.”

Pretty much the same thing in gist, n’est ce pas?

See, Oleg, great minds think alike, fools seldom differ ….

Probably if we will agree to disagree, we’ll like each other a wee bit more, don’t you think? Who knows stranger things have happened. Anyway, thanks for keeping me on my toes.

No…….. I can already imagine what will the fanboys say when/if Fed lost again. First mono, then lack of pratice, then back problem, now a baby. They will always think of something to dis-credit the opponents effort. Might not be by Fed’s design but really is a unfair situation for so many player for so long.

I just don’t get this fascination that some people have with marriage. Its just a piece of paper that can be torn up anytime … unlike a baby that to me cements a relationship between Fed and his girl that has lasted almost 9 years. I’ve been with my guy 14 years, we aren’t married, we have 2 kids 12 + 10 and they are none the worse for our unmarried state – neither are we! In photos I’ve seen of him at IW he looks very happy … I’m happy for him – for them both. But boy, will it change their lives! Marriage doesn’t change anything .. but babies sure do!

Marriage is just a way to ensure that the girl gets half of their man’s property wen she leaves….which does happen a lotta times coz girls always want the cash….but mirka is better than those scheming women.She trusts roger and that itself is a sign of true love.

“Not so fast on that, unless she gets a ring on her finger or a good lawyer. Actually no matter what, she best get a lawyer.”

A good Palimony lawyer whose specialty is fair distribution of wealth. Wow, if there was a lawsuit, she’d be rich. Fed accumulated 99.9% of his wealth during the years they were together.

I don’t know about Fed taking off the second half of the year. After a few days of the baby crying, and some sleepless nights, he’d welcome the tennis circuit. But they’re rich and can afford 24 hour nanny service while they sleep.
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Ryan: I know a marriage certificate is just a piece of paper, but it’s not the paper that’s of significance, it’s the commitment to spend one’s life with another until death do part. It’s also very important for the children to know their parents are married. Some people would disagree, but how would you have felt if your parents didn’t think marriage was important?

“..which does happen a lotta times coz girls always want the cash..”

How do you know what Mirka wants? I’m sure she would like to be addressed as, “Mrs. Roger Federer”. Also, I’m positive she has a nice stash of cash in a Swiss Bank. Don’t be so naive.

Mirka: I’d prefer to sit in Rafa’s box for his matches.
Roger: Oh, no! Sweetie. You’re the last thing I have. How about another big rock?
Mirka: No, sick of it. You know what I want.
Roger: Anything but that piece of paper. How about a real-size Barbie doll?
Mirka: I want a real baby with your last name.
Roger: Oookay! As long as you sit in my box. Hi, Darren, didn’t you say that you’re good with Pampers, right?
Cahill: Not just out of two rounds of my own! I’m out of here…(Jumping on the next available flight home).

“With Baby Fed on the way this “summer” does that mean Mirka will be at home more or still traveling. And if she’s indeed at home who’ll be Fed’s traveling partner?’

He’ll be travelling with Brad Pitt’s nanny. She’s now been fired. Angelina is furious.

Mirka needs to find an old school marm nanny; not like the one Angelina/Brad hired.
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TwoCents;

You’re waaaay too funny. I mentioned on the other thread that I think Cahill backed out due to the baby. He didn’t want the baby to spit up/drool on his designer clothes. I forgot about the pampers. LOL.

“I know a marriage certificate is just a piece of paper, but it’s not the paper that’s of significance, it’s the commitment to spend one’s life with another until death do part”

But think bout it….how many times does that happen..mostly something else takes them apart…not death…. irreconcilable differences.
So marriage sux….its just a way of ensuring that the girl is secure financially.Many people even abuse marriage for these financial reasons…..I’m not saying that mirka would do that but for some reason if a divorce were to take place between fed and her then fed loses out.So he is clever enough to avoid that.
Maybe people can get married wen they are old coz
a 75 year old man having a 65 year old girlfriend kinda sux. My parents think marriage is important and thats why they are old school.They just wont get it.

But it is lovely news innit? I think they’ll be happy; I hope, as others have hoped, it all goes well for them. Such a BIG change but a wonderful one. The first time Fed lays his deep-set eyes on that little one, he’ll be out of himself. And that’s just a great thing. Tennis trophies or not. Mirka will be a good mum I suspect; as someone mention, she’s been the mother of the Fed-operation for some time. And as Von says, a lotta money means a lotta nanny!!
:-D

Thanks. I think you were right on with the Cahill/baby shot. I was so happy that Cahill opted out before too late. Why? I always think Cahill fancied about coaching Fed too much maybe. If my memory served me right (mostly not), after Fed’s crushing loss to Djork in AO07, Cahill was the ONLY voice in media saying that Fed’s game was fine. Instead of appreciating this support at difficult times to Fed, my dark side got better of me thinking: well, looks like he wanted to coach Fed.

This real life soap is better than lots of Hollywood scripts: amid all dooms and glooms, Cahill The sSvior took the matter at his own hand, flying to a city far and away, ready to shoulder the tears and agony of the falling hero, and make him pheonix reborn from ash. Guess what? only to find out that the hero was practising diaper changes instead of his backhand…

On marriage paper, I can’t help wonder what Pope thought of them when he shaked hands with Fed — don’t go down there, too touchy! Must be the scotch, not coffee. Oops.

Anyway, I want to congrate Fed/Mirka on their baby (or babies?). Babies are fun, like tennis.

Lots of nannies mean lots of headaches. Tiger’s wife was a nanny of Woods’s of PGA peers, right? So, it’ll be quite an uphill battle for Mirka and Fed from now on. And men get outrageously jealous of new mom’s attention on baby. Like u, hope all goes well with them.

Ryan,

Your parents are not that dumb. It’s not that piece of paper, it’s the courage to sign that piece of paper and let the whole world know of its existence, that matters to all women.

Also, with or without marriage, relationships will have its rocky phases. In those rocky phases, that piece of paper often can serve as a very good excuse for both parties to cease fire and salvage the tie, instead of just giving up.

But I do agree with you on that babies, as a physical evidence of two person’s passion, help strengthen the tie much more powerful than any piece of papers.

congratulations to Fed and Mirka! This is great news and I am very happy for both.

I think this might give Fed more motivation in IW.

Two cents,
You are too funny!

Sean,
I read your preview and as much as I love to see Rafa win everything, I think after the Davis Cup tie this weekend and the trip to US, change of surface and all, IW might be Murray or Fed’s this time.

Congrats to the happy couple! I wonder how this will affect his tennis career? Not that he can’t be both a father and have a successful tennis career – but it’s going to be a tricky balancing act.

Who are we to judge that it is essential for a man and women to be married before having children? The important thing is that the child is loved and that the parents are respectful of each other. Some people choose to be married because it is important to them for a variety of different reasons (religious/moral/personal beliefs, legal reasons, etc.) while others choose not to and still maintain an equally solid relationship. I say: to each his or her own!

Pity you won’t see this. But I have to tell you that 1) I do not disagree at all with your choice of not getting a paper. Who am I to judge?I’m 100% with Mina’s point; 2) I meant a compliment to your parents, not the opposite. I was just trying to present some pro’s sides of that piece of paper. Sorry if I offended you in doing so.

Doesn’t matter what kind of trash you think I am. One man’s trash is another’s fortune :-)). And I only see one world, not 1st, 2nd, 100th worlds. So I see no point clarify to you which world I belong to.

Good to see all the gold-diggers out there expressing their “sympathy” for Mirka. I am sure she is not as insecure as some of you are. If you fight for equality in all fields, dont get your big girl panties in a bunch over marriage. The whole “law” about marriage is biased towards gold-diggers like heather mills and an even more closer representation of people like Von and Mary – Anna nicole smith.

Such women are the scum of the society and are nothing but free-loaders dumping their useless lives on some unfortunate soul and getting by there life controlling and manipulating the guy with this great institution called “marriage”.

Women who are secure about themselves and confident about their relation with their partners do not need the approval of law – which is a whole bunch of jokes and lies as anyone who has practiced law can attest. If you are good with your profession, you can throw morals and ethics out and prove that even the most unjust of things in this world is justified.

Jane – We need more women like you who can restore the respect that women deserve. This news should be about welcoming a new life onto earth. Unfortunately for some pathetic miserable people, it is a time to expose their insecurities in their relationships and their spouses in the full view of public. Mirka doesnt need anyone’s sympathy. She is the person behind one of the greatest players ever to have picked up a tennis racquet. I am sure she is fully aware of what her needs are. She definitely does not need some gold-diggers’ advising her to get married so that she can be more secure. She is a confident and strong lady and I am sure she can raise a kid with or without Federer’s money ( not that he will be stupid to abandon the mother of his kid to raise the kid all by herself!)

Marriage is for insecure gold-diggers! Two confident people who are secure about themselves do not need marriage to secure their love.

the baby is going to be the new mono excuse when he loses from now on.
“I have other priorities now” “family is more important”
sure ya do, fed.
say bye bye to the sampras record, the french title, beating nadal, and the rest of your career.

There isn’t enough space available to describe your kind of mentality.

To begin with why are you so gutless? You choose to beat up on the women on this site, using approx. 10 aliases along the way — the post names change but the content is the same. Why don’t you pick on the men who’ve voiced their displeasure regarding the baby saga — you won’t, because you’re gutless. You’ve been harassing me because I’m a Roddick fan ever since I began posting here. Now you’re applauding jane, how so? Because she’s congratulating Federer and Mirka? I don’t see where respect for women is being restored by mere congratulations.

I don’t see how I’m being a gold digger, because I feel a child born out of wedlock is wrong, or that a woman should seek to protect herself financially if she’s living with a man who refuses to marry her. That’s exactly the kind of mentality one would expect from someone as gutless as you are, but considering the source I’m not at all surprised. Why don’t you ask Tiger Woods’, Pete Sampras’, and Agassi’s wives how they’d feel bringing children into the world outside of wedlock. I’m sure they wouldn’t condone it and it’s the reason they got married. I suppose they are gold-diggers too.

I hope you’ve enjoyed the rant, and I expect more to come. Maybe you can activate a few of the other aliases you’ve buried and come at me from all angles.

It’s unbelievable that so many forget this is a forum where people should be allowed to express their opinions, without ankle-biters such as yourself attacking their every word. Don’t you have anything better to do, than to engage in such a despicable exercise? Anyway, carry on …

The two may get married in the very near future. If they love each other, why the hell not? There may have been some earlier plan of waiting until nearing the end of his career, but Mirka’s in her early 30′s now, and to start a family, the sooner she gives birth the better. Federer will surely be having a new perspective on things. I imagine that’s good for him. He’s got a mature mentality. They’re going to be fine in that department, as long as they both continue caring.

i see federer is up for the 2008 atp sportsmanship award!!! what an utter joke, federer being nominated for a sportsmanship award is like saying hitler, george bush, dick cheney and the rothschilds and rockefellers are nominated for a humanitarian award! this atp is really screwed up!!! federer was a pathetic sportsman last year giving excuses, insulting players in the atp, insulting wta playersnot giving credit to others,etc!!!!

nadal has not even been nominated!!! the atp is a fraud!!! this just makes my hatred towards
frauderer even greater!!

I’m happy you popped in to give me a shout. Are you going to stick around for IW? It should be a very interesting tournament — I can’t pick a winner. Can you? Do you remember a more exciting time in tennis where so many players are talking about improving their game, and not just talking but actually making the changes? I don’t recall ever hearing so many positive comments, and it’s wonderful. This translates to more exciting matches for us to watch. I’m eagerly looking forward to tomorrow’s lineup and the mouth-watering matches in the offing. Thankfully, it’s Saturday because quite a few of the top seeds will be playing.

Hope you are able stick around for the next 2-3 weeks, so that I can look forward to some fun exchanges.

im sure the atp cronies will award the swiss fraud the 2008 atp player of the year!!! nadal probably wont even be nominated!!! why??? because rafa doesnt speak good english??? rafa has never got an award from the atp, even the ceo was nominated by the swiss fraud federer, rafa didnt even have input,he had to accept federer’s choice!!! no wonder federer’s drwas in tournaments are easier than rafas!!!

im sick and tired of rafa not getting praised and not getting his due for all the hard work he has put in!!! its always about the swiss fraud federer, its his serve,his errors, his loss, and its never about rafas skills, rafas win, rafas amazing talent and ability and passion!!!

and u get these conspiracy nuts going on about how the courts are slow whenever rafa beats the fraud federer!

new world order, I don’t like your chosen name too much – it reminds me one of the people you mention: Hitler. And if you seriously mean you “hate” Federer, a total stranger and, when all is said and done, merely a professional entertainer, then you are deranged. “Hatred” belongs to someone who rapes your sister or robs your grandmother, or maybe a politician you think is ruining your country.

What’s this I’m reading that your post last evening was your last? No, you can’t do that!

I think you have misconstrued TwoCents’ comments. He’s not trashing Fed at all. In fact, he is a big Fed fan like you are. TwoCents was merely explaining his views on the ‘piece of paper’ topic and I don’t see anything wrong with that. That’s what the blogs are for, isn’t it? I think if you get to know TwoCents a wee bit more, you’d see a lot of what he talks about is humorous and is not any way, form or fashion trash talking Fed.

i see where federer gets his incredible arrogance from, his mother is south african, and south africans are extremely arrogant people!!! federer’s dad seems a nice guy, not his mother!!!
its very easy to be nice when ur winning!!

rafa nadal is class all round!! he is a bloody champion, and a genuinely humble guy!!!

Shan says:
“All the best daddy Roger, but as a sporting legend shouldn’t you have set a better example by marrying first and having kids next?”

HA! Are you kidding?? What about Agassi & Steffi? They didn’t get married til 2 months AFTER the baby was born. So much for “legends” setting an example.
—————–
Congratulations to Roger & Mirka! What wonderful news. As for Mirka traveling this summer, anyone who has given birth knows she absolutely will not be flying the last month of her pregnancy.

The only one creating “excuses” is YOU. What a self-centered jerk you are. The man is having a baby – it does not affect your precious “favorite” player. I hope when you tell your bosses you are expecting a child, they don’t come back & tell you you’ll just use it as an excuse for your slovenly behaviour & work habits. Get a grip dude.

Gee, New World Order… reading your post makes me think you would fit right in with Hitler and all the rest. You “hate” Roger? You “hate” his mother because she’s South African? Wow… and you have the nerve to be upset at someone? Interesting… Tell me, what’s Roger really like? What’s his mother really like? I mean, if you hate these people, you have to have had first hand knowledge and a first-hand relationship with them, right?

Calm down. None of us really these players and people. We definitely don’t know them well enough to “hate” them unless you have the mentality of a Hitler or someone like that who needs no reason to ‘hate’ human beings.

Just had to say that….

Now… Congratulations to Roger and Mirka! And congratulations to Robert and Lynette on becoming grandparents.

Von:
“I don’t see how I’m being a gold digger,… or that a woman should seek to protect herself financially if she’s living with a man who refuses to marry her.”

When your resume consists of “travel partner” and you spend nine years of your life keeping a man under your thumb 24/7 in an effort to keep “gold diggers” away, damn right you better get married.
This is a bigger impact for her than him, ’cause she can be replaced.
Don’t they get Ophrah in Europe??

To the sane commenters to this blog; every village has an idiot (or two) who spew(s) inane drivel that is best left ignored.

As for Roger and Mirka’s child, that’s wonderful news. I hope they can enjoy it without all the speculation about how it will affect Federer’s career. The two of them are bringing a child into this world, and while (almost) anyone can do it, it’s still one of the most beautiful things in this life.

I don’t know about Oprah in Europe — I don’t even have the time to watch her here in the US. I was merely speaking from my knowledge of such situations, where I’ve seen women exploited due to not being married. What I don’t understand is the reasoning behind the post calling us ‘gold diggers’ and/or ‘scum’ because we dared to air our opinions. It seems to me that because we didn’t offer our congratulations we’ve committed a heinous crime and we’ve destroyed the respect women deserve, which was only restored when congratulations were offered. It’s so funny how many mind readers we have here — they know exactly how and what Mirka thinks and feels. It’s the same old one-sided story on these threads. On one hand some people bash some players, especially the Americans, and come out unscathed, and on the reverse, those same people run crazy if a smidgen of negativity is mentioned about their favourite player. I should know better by now that some topics are simply forbidden to me. It’s a very good ploy to silence anyone from voicing their opinions — in which case why bother. Who said life was fair.

Von – I very much enjoy and appreciate all your comments, so keep ‘em comin’! I’m sure Roger and Mirka aren’t reading the X-blog, so I was really referring to what they’ll encounter in their interviews over the next couple of years. No offense to you, Mary or Giner intended.

BTW – did you see this article where Mirka defends herself against the likes of Pat Cash (and Peter Bodo, for that matter, although she doesn’t mention him by name – thank goodness).

Basically she said that nobody knows the dynamic of her relationship with Roger, especially those who’ve never met her, so all the criticism coming her way from those who suggested that Cahill didn’t want to deal with her, were really unfounded and unfair.

Based on your comments, I’m sure you’d appreciate her standing up for herself publicly, and Roger standing by his woman.

Thank you for your kind statement and the link which I’ll read later. I wasn’t referring to you in my post, but to another poster who deemed it necessary to refer to May and myself as ‘gold diggers’ and ‘scum’. All of this because we dared to give our opinions on the topic of this thread.

I’d say good for Mirka if she took a stand on the Cahill matter and also kudos to Fed for backing her. Nothing like the reverse of Tammy Wynette’s song “Stand by your man”. In her case it is ‘stand by your woman’.

“The man is having a baby – it does not affect your precious “favorite” player.”

I hope you’ll see the humor of the foregoing when taken out of context. Without realizing it, you have just made Federer the 8th wonder of the world — he’s having a baby. I know in the 3rd trimester I had some lower back pain, so would you say, in view of his present condition — lower back pain, that the symptoms match the conditon? Or, could it be, he’s having sympathethic pain? Ha, ha.

And, ugh, I continue though I’m on the fence about where my better judgment lays… Perhaps there is some sort of cultural dichotomy about unspoken appropriateness going on here. In the society I’m rooted in, there are times during which an initial response of criticism is simply brutish. For example, just as when someone tragically loses a son or daughter one says “I’m sorry for your loss” and does not qualify that by adding “but he/she was kind of an a-hole anyway” or “but now you can concentrate on raising your other child because they seem like they could stand better parenting”, it’s customary to celebrate the announcement of a child to be without offering critical judgment. I realize that this notion is somewhat altered since this is a public forum and is not people directly speaking to the parents to be, but from my cultural viewpoint a lot of the criticism (certainly that which is based on negative presumption) is tasteless.

Von, I value a lot of your opinions and your willingness to communicate them, but I find the words, “It’s so funny how many mind readers we have here — they know exactly how and what Mirka thinks and feels” difficult to stomach when coming from you. Is that not the pot calling the kettle black? One could literally page together a formidable tome from all the mind reading based contributions you’ve made to this forum over the years. Why the double standard if you freely go there yourself? In fact, much of the mind reading conjecture by others along the way has been in response to your own psychic assertions. Are only certain people allowed to voice their opinions? I think it’s only natural that we all wonder and try to understand what the players and others involved may be thinking and feeling and where they may be coming from, but can we at least have a level playing field in the peanut gallery?

Yeah, I mean the bouts of crying, the stomach issues, and the lower back pain. Those are all signs of “the man is having a baby”. Fed said he put a lot of pressure on his back at the AO. I laugh when they say “we’re pregnant”. Who’s we? I see only the woman growing from all angles and suffering the misery. It’s hilarious isn’t it, how the written word could be manipulated and misconstrued.

Um, I’m pretty sure “we’re pregnant” is a phrase that arose from women wanting men to verbalize that they are taking responsibility for the child, and I’m absolutely certain that for every man who says “she’s pregnant” instead, there is a whole legion of women ready to jump on that and say, “oh, so you’ve got nothing to do with it, you bastard?!”.

Thank you, I appreciate your input. FYI, I’ve only been posting here a little over a year, not “years”, but it does seem like it, doesn’t it? Considering I don’t see you posting here often, I’m a bit surprised you know what and how often I mention anything. I’m glad you’ve analyzed my deficiencies though, and am happy to learn I’m even more messed up than I had originally thought. Thanks for the free psychoanalysis. I remember very vividly how you lashed out at a few women, after you began posting here a few times, and I was very surprised at your reaction, not to mention the language you used ‘bitches”. If I’m not mistaken it was with respect to them making statements concerning Federer to which you took umbrage. Isn’t it coincidental that you’ve taken umbrage to my remarks too due to fact that it’s connected to Federer also? I’d like to ask you one question though: If I’m this offensive and/or reprehensible to you why do you bother to say “hello” to me on the few occasions you drop by? Wouldn’t you say that’s hypocrisy? I think so. For me, I’d definitely want to avoid anyone I find to be so distasetful. The bottom line, Ra, as long as I don’t mention Federer, I’m OK, but if I dare to step out of line, I can be assured you’d be handing me a good tongue lashing. Well, I’m thankful that hasn’t happened before, and I can assure you that I’ll forever keep you uppermost in my mind whenever I comment on Federer in the future. A vision of someone with two beady eyes looking through a keyhole comes to mind.

Please do us both a favor and don’t bother to say hello to me when you drop by again. Thank you Ra, and have a nice day.

Thanks for the good news on Sam’s win. Are they showing live streaming or did you see the results on the ATP website? I checked ADTHE.net and Justin.TV and nothing was there.

I don’t know about Sam beating Djoko — he runs hot and cold. I still can’t understand what happened to him at Del Ray. Christophe Rochus beat Sam. Sam could not even get his serve going. I mean Christophe Rochus 6-1, unbelievable.

Whatever happened to Donald Young? He hasn’t played in any of the US tournaments this year. Unless it was an oversight, and I’ll have to check the draw again, I don’t think he’s playing at IW. ‘The Donald’ is a series of question marks. I’m wondering how Isner will fare in his match or matches — he’s a huge disappointment. Only time will tell …. and very soon.

Wow, Von… I’m absolutely blown away. It was not my intent for you to feel psychoanalyzed at all, and I thought that I had made it clear in my post that I don’t see conjecturing as any kind of deficiency; I just don’t understand why it should be alright for some and not for others. Also, I do not see you as so offensive and/or reprehensible (although now I’m wondering, to be perfectly honest), or I wouldn’t bother to say hello when I drop by. Please humor me by rereading my post without assuming that I mean you harm if it is not too much trouble, and maybe you will see that I was trying to make a point rather than trying to attack you. Perhaps I just failed in my expression.

However, I have no idea to what you are referring when you say you “remember very vividly how you lashed out at a few women”, and I feel grossly misrepresented by that statement as I’m absolutely positively sure that any “lashing out” I may have done was never ever directed at anyone because of their gender, race, nationality, etc. Also, I did not use the phrase “bitches” as denoting a gender; I used it to denote people that hole up in their corner and settle in just to “bitch” at others. While that may be tasteless and crass on my part, it by no means warrants the association you just alleged. Von, I don’t understand where you are coming from saying that this is because it’s about Federer. On this forum I’ve also responded to threads in support of Nadal (very recently with regard to steroid allegations), Roddick, and Djokovic (who I admittedly could not at first stand) at the very least.

I’m sorry to have inadvertently struck some way too sour chord for you, but I honestly feel that you owe me an apology after the reaction you saw fit to post here.

No worries; I am aware of Novak’s vulnerability of late, and Sam is one I’ve always liked. If Step doesn’t take out Sam, he could very well pull an upset. Step’s been pretty hot lately though, so I am not calling anything just yet!

I’m looking at the live scores – Kendrick is winning his match vs Phau of Germany. Live streaming begins tomorrow (Saturday) from IW.

Yes, I’m really sticking my neck out picking Sam over Novak particularly given his “hot & cold” past, as you so accurately put it. He fell apart in Delray which was a shame – didn’t see the match. They haven’t played since MC ’08 & only played once before that meeting, at Oz ’08. But Novak isn’t playing with alot of confidence right now so it’s a chance for Sam – that’s all you can get sometimes from the top players.

I don’t know what’s going on with the Donald – he played at my club quite a bit as a junior (before moving to Atlanta) & the tennis pundits spoke about him like he was the second coming of Christ but all those WC’s in majors seemed to do more harm than good. He played in a challenger event I attended a few months back but I’ve lost track of him – what a waste.

Well it goes without saying that my picks seldom come through, but it’s a fun exercise. Thank goodness I don’t bet on tennis. Yes, the Worm has been hot in 2009 thus far but traditionally has not done well at IW, a little better at Miami (R16).

Isn’t it great that so many of the top players are playing doubles at IW? Nadal, Federer, Tsonga, Del Potro, Murray, Berdych, Roddick, Ferrer, Monfils, Gasquet, Stepanek, etc. I think it’s great for the fans. Hope this is a sign of things to come!

You’ll be probably disappointed but I honestly don’t feel I need to apologize to you. I think it’s the olther way around. you started this not me, and I should be the receiver not the giver. I’m not a proud person, and had I felt I’d done you a wrong I would have apologized without your having to state an apology was needed.

Yes, I’m offended because you thought it necessary to point out to me what you perceive to be my faults. I don’t think that was necessary. My comment that some people think they know what Mirka thinks and feels was in response to the poster who accused Mary and me of being “gold-diggers” and “scum of society” which should have been obvious from my response to him. I made that comment because he seemed dead sure Mirka didn’t need to be married. I disagree. I don’t think any woman who is prepared to give 9 years to a relationship, is pregnant, would not want to be married. If she were your daughter wouldn’t you want to see her married instead of being an unwed mother? Or it wouldn’t matter to you if the guy is rich, as in Federer’s case — money being the great equalizer?

My mention of the post you feel was ‘grossly misrepresented’ was thrown in to show you that you are not above unkind remarks yourself, hence, why are you pointing a finger at me. Additionally, there was a correlation, both times you have chosen to reprimand another poster pertained to the topic of Federer. Perhaps it was accidental, but the correlation was very blatant, IMO. Also, the first paragraph of your post spoke volumes.

I’m a bit surprised Ra, that for someone so gung-ho on what’s right and wrong and/or fair, how is it you didn’t find anything objectionable in the poster’s statement dubbing Mary and myself as “gold-diggers” and “scum of society”, but you took umbrage to my statement referring to some as mind readers? I would think calling someone a gold digger and the scum of society is far more reprehensible than my mention of some as mind readers. Anyway, that’s just my standard, and I don’t expect you or anyone else to acknowledge that one statement is indeed worse than the other.

I realized just after I hit the submit button on my first comment regarding Mirka’s pregnancy that I had made a huge mistake because I knew I’d be targeted by a Fed fan, and it happened. That was my only mistake and I’m sorry for making such a mistake because even though we are all entitled to our comments, that’s not really true on this site. The only way to escape retaliation by some of the Fed fans is to say nothing, or to be hypocritical and dole out wonderful complimentary statements, then you’re their friend. Anything short of that then it’s hell to pay. Hence, in the future I promise you, I will desist from commenting on any topics regarding Federer. FYI, when posters retaliate as some do, they are just stagnating the blogs and preventing honest discussions.

I saw that Delray match and I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw Sam fall apart to Rochus, considering how close he played Roddick the previous week at Memphis. Sam, with his serve should have put away Rochus 6-1, 6-0, easily. I actually felt Sam would have won DelRay, but Mardy was a more deserving champion, so I’m happy it turned out that way.

Thus far, Dent, Querrey, Russel, Kendrick and Reynolds have won their matches. The only casualty is Odesnik and I see Rick DeVoest is losing 3-5 in his match at the moment.

Don’t know what to say about ‘The Donald’. I always remember Donald Trump whenever I write “The Donald”. Maybe he’s grounded for breaking his racquets or hitting the balls out of the stadium. Every other reasonable explanation fails me.

Berdych and Kiefer got knocked out by Andy Murray & Hutchkins. I’m happy to see Andy playing doubles, but I’m concerned he might over-do it and then fall prey to illness again. That would be disastrous. I’m hoping he doesn’t. Doubles would become a lot better money-wise if more of the top players were to play, then ATP would have to pay out more money to the doubles specialists and it would be good for growing the sport. Fans can watch doubles and singles. I can dream, can’t I?

Yes, more top players in doubles please. I just can’t remember the last time this many top players were in the doubles draw. I can see why a few of them are playing (Fed, Verdasco, Murray) – to get more tennis in after a longish layoff, but the rest are a mystery. I know there isn’t much to do in Palm Springs other than golf & shopping (both boring for me) – maybe that’s why – keeping them out of trouble : D Whatever the reason, I like it!

Rafa played doubles with Feliciano in Cincy ’07. They had to put them on one of the smallest courts (the large courts being taken up with the singles matches running late) and it was crazy. People heard they were playing on Court 4 & rushed over – it was packed & difficult to control. But great having the players so close – Rafa was practically sweating on me. LOL

Von says:
“Sam, with his serve should have put away Rochus 6-1, 6-0, easily” That’s what Isner is doing right now 6-1 1st set vs C. Rochus.

“I actually felt Sam would have won DelRay”. So did I, a golden opportunity that slipped away. Anyway, I looked p his stats, he turned pro in ’06? Seems like he’s been around longer than that. Djoko is 6 mos older than Sam but went pro in 2003.

You won’t believe this. Roddick/Fish beat Simon/Chardy in doubles. I didn’t know they were playing doubles. Wow, the boys seem to mean business, and how. There’s a lot of competition in doubles at IW. Save some energy for singles guys. Miracle of miracles, Isner won his match against Christophe Rochus, 6-1, 6-4. Isner redeemed Sam.

Yes, Sam did turn pro late. He was offered a scholarship for college but couldn’t decide whether to go pro or attend college. Tennis won. At least he completed HS.

I’m not disappointed, but I’m not pleasantly surprised either. You already got an apology from me above, but I still feel you’ve taken my words in a way that I did not intend. And I don’t feel that I deserve the credit here for starting anything.

No, I’m not pointing out your “faults”. I wasn’t judging your character; I was questioning your basis for criticizing mind reading yet extremely frequently doing it yourself. I still don’t get why that is OK to you of all people, but it’s not looking to me like I’m going to get a non-loaded response to that (but such is life).

Von, you could have easily said, “You are not above unkind remarks yourself, Ra” if that is what you felt to be an appropriate response to my post (although I feel that would still have missed the point), and I would have freely admitted as much. But you chose not to say any such thing but rather to take low blows at me and implicate me as sexist to teach me a lesson instead… Regarding me twice “reprimanding” posters in a topic related to Federer, well, as has before been stated on this site, there is a blurry line between cause and correlation – and a great many of the posts on this forum relate to Federer. I’m glad the first paragraph of my post spoke volumes.

I found the “gold-diggers” and “scum of society” commentary to be totally off the wall inappropriate, and I had absolutely nothing to do with the you or anyone else being called those names. As for me being so gung-ho about this or that, I don’t accept that characterization. However, I did see that you were here and quite capable of responding for yourself (which you did very clearly), and that you had support in doing so. Were that not the case, I may have said something even though I can only imagine that such a poster would not have his mind changed (if at all) through any means but life experience. On the other hand, I chose to address what you had said because I did consider you to be someone whose ideas could evolve through communication. You don’t like the way I state my case, though? Fine, but I don’t see anything in what I said that makes it remotely reasonable for you to bully me with despicable allegations.

I’ll reiterate now that my motivation for posting had no specific relation to Federer, but I neither expect you to accept that nor need you to believe that. Whether you choose to ever again remark about Federer or not doesn’t concern me, but as someone who reads this forum and posts in this forum (no, not religiously, but I have contributed along the way, thanks), it does concern me when you seem to be subjecting other posters to a double standard and then patronizing them (or us as the case may be) with what seems to me a holier than thou attitude and backhanded FYIs. I wish I could interpret it as something more positive or constructively motivated, but you haven’t given me any evidence to show otherwise. Even so, I’m willing to agree to disagree, brush off what to me feels like paranoid and unapologetic hurtfulness, let the tension dissipate, and get back to tennis and its more immediately relevant matters.

UUfffff! anyone else feel as if they’ve been in a couple of rounds with Mohammed Ali?
Back to tennis! Am really surprised to see Andy M. playing in the doubles, especially as his fitness is in question. But a couple of years ago, one of the tennis pundits suggested he did exactly that as a way of improving parts of his game, also Ross Hutchins, whom most of you guys probably won’t know, always plays doubles in the Davis Cup.
A final note on Politics, final I promise(!!) NWO how can you possibly “hate” a nation that has had the wonderful good sense to elect Obama? Me and most of my friends were in tears when we watched the inorguration. The END!

Very exciting – big kudos to Roger and Mirka! I remember a few years ago there was speculation (on tennis-x, I believe) about Mirka being pregnant.

I seriously doubt we need to worry about Roger, Mirka, or their baby. We don’t need to hold a benefit for any of them. I just read a fun flyertalk trip report of a guy flying Swiss First Class to Dubai (sometime in 2009), and how RFed was one of the fellow pax. Alas I couldn’t find out if there were others travelling with him.

Miracle of miracles — I’m not suffering with Gimelstob, au contraire, I’m listening to my fave commentators, Doug Adler and Jason Goodall. What a pleasure this is for my auditory nerves — simply mahvellouz. Have you noticed Murray’s new haircut? He looks fine and rested. He’s clean shaved and refreshed. I think that forced rest period was a rejuvenator for his body, however, his match play seems a bit rusty. Hopefully, he’ll win this match and he’ll begin to feel and look grooved too. I’m a hopin’.

I saw your comment about Nadal’s sweating so close to you at Cincy. You know if you had thought of it, and acted promptly, you could have marketed those body fluids by collecting same in little phials and auction off the stuff. You’d be surprised how many would have purchased it. Kind of reminds me of Nero who preserved his tears as the ‘fruits of his sorrow’ when Rome burned. Poor baby!
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Margot:

Guess that means Rog. will have to win Paris and Wimbledon this year. If he is a parent this summer, I would plan ahead and win Roland Garros, just to get over that hurdle before the newborn arrives, and then get Wimbledon, because he’ll have more important things to get to with the child in the Federer-Mirka life.

So listen up Federer…the plan is win Roland Garros and win Wimbledon, then there’s no pressure to take the US Open and Rog. can be where he’s most needed.

Von:
I notice Andy’s new ‘do in the pre-tournament photos. He’s looking relaxed & all spruced up! Maybe this will silence his hair critics for a time. And now he’s won in 2 sets – good start!

As for Rafa’s sweat, another money making opportunity lost to me for lack of foresight. Who knows, he may have thought I was from WADA coming at him with empty vials. I didn’t know that about Emperor Nero – you are a wealth of information Von!

Von, Tenisbebe: Yes, watched the match quite anxiously..Murray looked a bit slow in first set but came through quite easily in the end didn’t he? I subscribe to ATP but the stream freezes at times which is really frustrating, what was suggestion you gave Von? Could you elaborate please?
By the way I LOVE Jason Goodall and Doug ? Their commentary is interesting without being intrusive -and they seem to be Murray fans so what’s not to like!

Andrew Miller: I’m sure Nike and the rest of his sponsors that pay him millions are so thrilled about the idea of Federer taking the summer off(the main part of the season) or playing while being distacted, due to his lack of family planning skills.

Yeah, you lost out on a very golden opportunity to market that precious body fluid. I don’t know if Nadal would have thought about WADA last year at Cincy because WADA began its witch hunt in earnest this year, so all things considered I think you definitely lost out.

Summer is what June through September?
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Margot:

Yes, I felt Andy looked a bit slower than usual in the first set but still managed to break and finished the match in two sets. He played doubles yesterday, so he could be feeling a bit tired playing two days in a row after being laid up for 3 weeks. He looks cute with his new haircut.

But of course, Doug Adler is pleasant to listen to, he’s American. Only kidding. He and Jason make for a good team and I enjoy their commentary very much. You might be interested in a piece of gossip I heard, through Jason’s commentary last year at Cincy when Murray was playing Djoko in the final. The camera focused on Judy Murray and Jason who was co-anchoring with Robbie Koenig, mentioned that it was too bad Doug Adler was not around because he likes “to chat up Judy Murray, and he would be very upset”. I suppose Doug’s a bachelor and Judy is divorced, hence a budding romance maybe? Who knows. I know from my English background when they say “chatting up” it’s not a regular type conversation between friends, but more of a hint at flirting. Has that changed?

The suggestion I made concerns tenisbebe who stated last year she was at court-side when Nadal played doubles and he was so close to her that she could see/feel his sweat. I made a facetious suggestion had she been a swift thinker, she could have gotten some phials and collected Nadal’s sweat, marketed/auctioned off the stuff and made millions of dollars. That was her opportunity to be the first fan millionaire collecting players’ bodily fluids. I likened that collection to Nero when Rome was burning, he asked for a phial to collect/preserve his tears as a memento of the “fruits of his sorrow”. Of course, the whole story is supposed to be fiction wherein “Nero fiddles while Rome burned”. Who knows it might be true because he was one whacky dude. I remember as a little kid watching old Roman movies with my mum, who was a movie junkie, and I think that’s where I originally saw the scene and then later read about it. As a side note, I’ve watched Quo Vadis and the Ten Commandments at least 10 times each.
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This is a bummer, IW only has hawkeye on the Stadium court, which means a lot of bad calls for the players who are playing on the other courts. I hope Roddick plays all of his matches on the Stadium court or else he’ll lose his cool if he gets a bad call on the non-hawkeye courts. Here’s hoping …

No, I’m not watching the match in person — I usually move away from my TV (bedroom) to my study whenever I hit a boring part of the match or during the commercials. Unfortunately, I don’t like crowds and/or sitting in the sun, which means I attend very few matches nowadays in person.
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MMT: I hope you’re watching, Tsonga is playing at the moment. He should win very easily. He must be very anxious to play. He got to his seat on court at least 5 minutes before Gabashvilli did.

Strange Question: I saw some of Murray’s match, which was on the main court. Has Tennis Channel shown the main court since that match or any of the women’s matches?
I don’t understand how Tsonga is a bigger draw than Anna I.

The internet live streaming is not showing any of the WTA matches today (the women played the next 2 matches on center/stadium court 1 after Murray). I don’t know what the scoop is – maybe the WTA didn’t pay their bill…..

“How does that sound like a gold digger and who is to say she is not one herself? Grow up or go back to Bodo World.”

If you have to ask, the word ‘protection’ sounds dubious to me. Does a person who’s genuine about their partner go into a marriage looking for ‘protection’?

Is Mirka a gold digger herself? A gold digger would have milked him and left. She was his manager, and handled all the business for him. Gold diggers like to go shopping. Their relationship has lasted longer than you would expect if one person was a player or the other a gold digger. 8 years is a long time to be together. No marriage, but you know they’re genuine about each other. Roger stood through her when she got fat. He could have just dumped her for someone more attractive and fit, but he didn’t which tells me he’s not a player who uses people and dumps them when he’s bored of them. If Fed was that kind of person, what use would he have for keeping her this long? No wedding band, but Mirka is safe with him because if he was to dump her, he would have done it by now.

I like tennis bullies Says:

“the baby is going to be the new mono excuse when he loses from now on.
“I have other priorities now” “family is more important”
sure ya do, fed.
say bye bye to the sampras record, the french title, beating nadal, and the rest of your career.”

It’s true that the baby will take his mind off and maybe play more freely. It will ease some of his ambition, his desire to turn his head to head with Nadal around and regain his #1 ranking. It may even be a good thing for him. But I doubt he will use the baby as an excuse for losing. He’ll lose some of his edge, but he’s still the number 2 player in the world, and I’ve never seen a number 2 player that wasn’t in contention for winning a GS title.

“Based on your comments, I’m sure you’d appreciate her standing up for herself publicly, and Roger standing by his woman.

Here’s the link…”

I read Mirka’s rebuke of Pat Cash and then was about to make a post until I realised it was dated early 04. 5 years later and Federer added 12 slams to his name. Cash is not a good prophet.

Mary Says:

Giner:
“Roger stood through her when she got fat.”
I poured myself a glass of wine and contemplated that senence for a full five minutes.

I don’t think she is a gold digger. I’m now going back to contemplating.

————–

Sorry Mary.. that was a typo. A very bad one. It was the result of an incomplete edit.

It should have read:

“Roger stood by her when she got fat.”

A rich guy who isn’t serious and just wants to use people and dump them for the next isn’t going to keep around an overweight chick. You know that if all he’s after is short term pleasure, he can do better than Mirka. He’s not exactly a hobgoblin, and he’s too terrible with a racquet. He had her before he got famous, and kept her the entire time.

“I read Mirka’s rebuke of Pat Cash and then was about to make a post until I realised it was dated early 04. 5 years later and Federer added 12 slams to his name. Cash is not a good prophet.”

Responding to myself, I recall Cash also criticising Roger for dumping Peter Lundgren and going solo. He said Roger didn’t have a good chance going without a coach. That very year he went on to win 3 grand slams, a few Masters Series and the Masters Cup. 11 titles in all.

Giner – you are talking to yourself now. Speaking of Pat Cash (and I assume you’re an Aussie), I seem to recall him getting into hot water quite a few years back with some comments but I can’t remember the content. Something to do with the WTA or equal pay maybe? Perhaps you can recall.

Giner, it’s not only the typo. It’s a tad offensive that you imply that somehow Roger is a better man or a more committed one simply because he stayed with Mirka even (gasp!) when she gained a few pounds. Sheesh! So you’re saying if he had dumped her that’s what we should’ve expected, given that he could “do better” than an “overweight chick”?

How about this? He just loves her, regardless of her weight. In other words, her weight is a non-issue for him, as it should be for us. Whether they marry or not is also up to them, imo.

Fed, man the plan again: win Paris, win Wimbledon. Dont worry about the US Open, because the real action is in on the dirt at Roland Garros. And Cahill at Roland Garros would not have worked anyhows – really, where was Hewitt if not lost at Roland Garros? As for Agassi, there was not much to speak of with Cahill in tow on the dirt, outside of a nice run in Rome to the semis in 2005.

So…Roger my man – the dirt is where it’s at. No one thinks you’ll win it anyhows, so you might as well do it!

Giner says:
“Roger stood by her when she got fat.” I wouldn’t call her “fat”, the few times I saw her in person she looked 15 lbs/ 7 kgs overweight but by no means obese (which I believe is 20% over your normal body weight). I did wonder when she appeared to put on weigh if it was something medical (ie: thyroid deficiency) or just the pressure of being responsible for Roger’s business affairs combined with eating out all the time. It’s unusual for athletes to allow themselves to gain that much over their fighting weight.

Von said: “MMT: I hope you’re watching, Tsonga is playing at the moment. He should win very easily. He must be very anxious to play. He got to his seat on court at least 5 minutes before Gabashvilli did.”

Missed the match, but saw the result, which was workman-like for Tsonga. Andreev is a tough customer, but if Tsonga is for real he has to get through opponents like him with regularity. Unless Simon suffers a hangover from this Davis Cup failures against Ljubicic, there’s an interesting quarterfinal looming between the two frenchmen. I think this tournament will tell us a thing or two about Tsonga. Winning Johannesburg and Maraseille is all well and good, but can he do it again against the big boys?

I don’t think Ljubicic would be a problem for Simon. Ljub is so ineffective nowadays (over a 2 year slide) that even a new comer would beat him. I think Tsonga will beat Andreev and Simon will beat Ljub, making the French QF a possibility. I don’t know about Tsonga winning against Fed and Nadal though. Last year he failed miserably at Miami, where he was leading 5-1 in the second set and Nadal came back to win 6 straight games, winning the second set, the third and match point, Nadal. Tsonga’s last match against Fed he was playing well and then fell apart. It was somewhat of a DelPotro/Fed situation. Which brings us to your question, can he do it again, maybe yes against Federer, but not sure against Nadal in his present form. We’ll see.

Roger and Mirka could already be married for all we know, and it’s none of our business and who cares anyway???
Yeah, what does Mirka weigh, 135? That’s a real fatty. I think she’s beautiful and Roger is waayyyy more classy than to be with some no brain trophy like so many other professional athletes.

Why is it that majority of moral comments I’ve read about Fed becoming a father BEFORE he and Mirka are married are from Americans?? What is it with you guys over there? Guess you just don’t get the fact that here in Europe its commitment that counts – not a piece of paper.

Exactly – but we are a puritan society by heritage & have historically fought these tendencies.
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Shan:

Yes indeed. But we must remember that for the Swiss (& Swedes also for that matter) of this generation, living together with children is the norm. I don’t know if this is due to principals or for financial reasons (taxes, etc). Anyway it is what it is and we should honor their choice no matter what it is.

“The comment sets women back a few decades. But hey, I heard those fat chicks pack a mean suitcase.”

Women willing to have themselves portrayed as an object (and there is no shortage of them) set themselves back far more than I did.

jane Says:

“Giner, it’s not only the typo. It’s a tad offensive that you imply that somehow Roger is a better man or a more committed one simply because he stayed with Mirka even (gasp!) when she gained a few pounds. Sheesh! So you’re saying if he had dumped her that’s what we should’ve expected, given that he could “do better” than an “overweight chick”?

How about this? He just loves her, regardless of her weight. In other words, her weight is a non-issue for him, as it should be for us. Whether they marry or not is also up to them, imo.”

What I’m saying is that a man of his stature could have easily had her replaced if he was a play boy. An ordinary guy who’s not ‘committed’ doesn’t have as many options. Mary seems worried for Mirka’s sake that he might do just that. He doesn’t appear to be the type though.

I only feel sad about the fact that he has been with only Mirka since he was 19!! No other women! No other experiences… I don’t think that’s normal or healthy… I wanted him to be able to focus on getting back in shape after the year from Hell (for his standards), get his back healthy, have plenty of practice time, and maybe even get a coach again… And eventually branch out and date other women… But now, he’s cemented to Mirka and a baby — a baby due to be born in the midst of Wimbledon and the US Open…

I also see this as totally deliberate on Mirka’s part, as she’s been with him for 9 years and never was pregnant before, so clearly they know how to use birth control… But now she happens to get pregnant? She did this to secure her hold on him, and to hurry him up to the alter… A throwback to women of the 1940′s…

I feel the same way about Prince William and his shack-up girlfriend — the same and only one he’s had since he was 18… No other girlfriends or experiences and yet the world wants him to marry Kate Middleton… I can’t imagine any man being with only one woman since teen years and never stray the rest of their lives… It kind of makes me sick… And Kate will probably get preggers if she tires of waiting around for marriage, the way Mirka did…

As to the idiot who said that Tiger Woods wife used to be a nanny to other pro-golfers wives, is he insane? Elin was a supermodel! A MODEL, not a nanny…